By ZECH YODER
Cale Yarborough, a NASCAR legend, passed away on Dec. 31, 2023, at the age of 84.
Yarborough was a three-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion (1976, 1977, 1978), a four-time Daytona 500 winner (1968, 1977, 1983, 1984), a four-time winner of the Southern 500 (1968, 1973, 1974, 1978, 1982) and holds the record with the most poles in a single season (14). Yarborough is tied for sixth on the all-time wins list with 83 victories over a career that spanned over 30 years (1957 to 1988).
Perhaps the most memorable moment of his career came at the 1979 Daytona 500 (the first flag-to-flag televised NASCAR race) when he and Donnie Allison crashed on the final lap while running in first and second. The on-track incident sparked a brawl between Yarborough and Bobby Allison (brother of Donnie), who came to his brother’s defense. The altercation between Yarborough and the Allisons and television commentator Ken Squier’s legendary call brought national attention to a previously regional sport.
Cale Yarborough was one of the tough guys of NASCAR. He was a tremendous athlete and a talented football player, even being offered a tryout with the Washington Redskins, and a Golden Gloves boxer. He survived a skydiving accident where his parachute only partially opened at just 200 feet above the earth. He was struck by lightning. Bitten by a rattlesnake. And had a pet bear named Susie, who he took flying in his airplane. Cale may have only stood 5’7” but he was a giant.
No, they don’t make men like Cale Yarborough any longer. A different breed of a foregone generation. Yarborough made NASCAR great. His memory and contributions to American motorsport will not soon be forgotten.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.